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Yes, a bad ground wire can cause all kinds of electrical problems in a car's operating system. The worst of these problems is, of course, the car refusing to start. The starter motor requires a great deal of electricity to ignite and the "punch" isn't there with a poor ground. However, if the battery is fully charged, some of the electrical systems in the car will still work (overhead lamp, radio, etc.) even with a weak ground. But, continued jumps and attempts at starting with a bad ground will eventually deplete the battery and cause all systems to fully fail -- the car will be flat-line dead.
Many times, the ground cable does not need to be replaced. All contact points simply need to be thoroughly cleaned of corrosion, rust, and dirt to remedy the grounding problem. Follow these simple steps in your backyard and save a bunch of money at the shop:
1.) Make sure car is off and disconnect the battery cables and remove the battery. First, check the battery to assure it has a good charge. If it does, continue to step 2... If it does not, buy a new battery, and continue to step 3...
2.) With a baking soda and water mixture and a wire brush (or toothbrush), clean the battery posts until they shine.
3.) Dismantle the battery clamps at the end of the cables and clean all parts using a wire brush (or toothbrush) saturated in a baking soda and water mixture until all parts shine.
4.) Trace the ground cable to its grounding contact point(s) with the car's sheet metal. Clean the entire grounding contact area using the same method as above. In some instances, you will need to remove dead bugs and dirt that may be collected around the contact point(s).
5.) Pat dry all cleaned components with a shop rag.
6.) Reassemble battery clamps at the cable ends.
7.) Clean out the battery tray and replace the battery and reconnect cables to battery posts. Connect red positive (+) first then connect black ground (-). Tighten all parts.
8.) Dab a bit of petroleum jelly on the clamps and battery posts. This will slow the corrosive process that probably shorted the ground in the first place.
9.) Get in the car and crank it up and call your spouse outside to flaunt your skills.
10.) Drive to NAPA, Autozone, O'Reilly, or your local "Joe Mechanic" Shop and have a diagnostic completed on your starter, battery, and alternator to make sure nothing has been damaged and are all in good working order.
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Which wire is negative and positive on a starter?
positive goes to the battery and negitive goes to a ground clamp on the frame..
What is the purpose of the wire that drags ground under shopping carts at Walmart and Target?
It's supposed to be the ground wire...to keep the shopping carts from building up static electricity.
Why does car lose electrical power when ignition key is turned to start?
Low battery power, or probably a loose battery terminal or ground wire. Follow and check em all...!!
Your 92 ford ranger wont start unless you put gas in te intake?
check fuel cut off switch or ground wire by battery small wire on neg side of battery cable or fuel and eec relays under hood
What can be wrong if a car turns over slowly before starting?
Could be poor cable connections. Check black ground and red positive, may need to remove and clean both ends. Lead on battery end can be cleaned with wire brush, knife or sandpaper, cable going into end can be scraped with knife. But it's usually old or dying battery (starting takes a lot of power.) Don't replace starter or other parts if battery's old or shows problems. Testers availabe at auto supply stores, or they can test it.
Where is the ground wire for a1982 Chevy Celeberty?
The battery ground wire runs from the battery to the engine block.
Where does the ground wire go on a car battery?
Negative - (Black) is Ground, Positive + (Red) is Hot. Ground wire goes to Negative (Black) it goes from negative on battery to engine for ground.
Would a lose earth on a battery stop a car starting?
A loose earth/ground wire can prevent any of the electrical components from functioning.A loose earth/ground wire can prevent any of the electrical components from functioning.
Where is a 87 thunderbird battery ground wire located?
Usually on the Negative terminal of the battery.
What causes the battery ground wire to smoke?
Subliminal advertising.
What could be the problem When the turn signals won't work and the car wont start but sometime they work and the car then starts?
Might be bad ignition switch?? Check the ground wire as well. Check and clean if corroded: The Ground strap/wire from the frame to the engine The small ground wire from the battery to the body The Ground wire from the battery to the engine.
Why battery positive is hot?
simple answer is ground wire is not properly installed
Where is the starter on a 96 Lincoln mark 8?
Follow the ground wire from the battery. The ground wire from the battery goes right into the starter/connected to the starter. Passenger side of the engine compartment under the engine.
How can you test a fuel pump out of the tank?
You can test the fuel pump by touching the positive wire on the positive post of the battery. You will need to ground the ground wire.
What ground wire would make a battery spark?
Any wire or other metal object which touches the positive (+) connection of the battery AND the negative (-) battery connection OR the metal bodywork will spark
How do you test for battery drain in a car?
By removing the ground wire from the battery and putting an amp meter in series between the battery and wire and measure the amp draw after sometimes 15 minutes.
Why do my 1993 Chevy caprice keep shutting off?
HEY MAN I DONT KNOW IF IT IS THE SITUATION....BUT MY 96 AND MY BOYS 92 BOTH HAD THIS PROBLEM.....MINE HAD A LOOSE GROUND WIRE ON MY ALT. AND HIS 92 HAD A LOOSE GROUND WIRE ON HIS BATTERY WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME...SO CHECK IT OUT
